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Redlands Christian Migrant Association, hu MA Whispering Pines Child Development Center / Chil Services Advisory Committee Indian River County Co PROGRAM DESCRIPTION (Entire Section C, 1 — 6, not to exceed two pages. 1 . List Priority Needs area addressed. Increase childcare capacities and subsidies for underserved populations, the infant and toddler population; improve the quality of childcare programs, and increase accessibility for children from lower income families . 2 . Briefly describe program activities including location of services, Whispering Pine Child Development Center — 10076 Esperanza Circle, Fellsmere , FL The services offered through the RCMA Whispering Pines Child Development Center incorporate the following : Education Program : This quality educational program is a Creative Curriculum and Creative Choices driven developmentally appropriate curriculum stressing language development and self esteem . These are barriers to our targeted migrant and rural poor population. Assessments : The on-going assessment scores as tracked in the Early Learning Accomplishment Profile assure appropriate individualization for each young child. The assessments also alert staff to developmental delays so the appropriate referral services will be received in a timely manner. Parent Sup ort: Parent involvement is one of the keys to a child ' s educational success . Monthly parent meetings, support groups, parent trainings and volunteer activities are conducted and based on parent' s requests and needs . Social Services : RCMA provides health and social services referrals and follow-ups, as well as, family needs assessments, with a limited home visit component. Basic Health Program : Includes daily health checks of children, child health referrals and prescription medications administered. Nutrition: A nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack are served to all toddlers with the menus approved by a registered dietician. Children sit together with their teacher and serve themselves family style. Infants use the Child Care Feeding Program and move from formula to toddler food as appropriate. 3 . Briefly describe how your program addresses the stated need/problem. Describe how your program follows a recognized "best practice" (see definition on page 12 of the Instructions) and provide evidence that indicates proposed strategies are effective with target population. There is national research which proves that high quality infant, toddler and preschool child care with a strong parent involvement component makes a significant difference in increased school success, decreased teen pregnancy, decreased juvenile delinquency and decreased special education placement. As quoted in Children in Need - Investment Strategies for the Educationally Disadvantage_d, an effective quality child care program is one that emphasized "collaboration between teaching staff and parents as partners in the education and development of children, including frequent communication and substantive conferences at least monthly". Preparing children for kindergarten, parenting and advocacy skills , are the major issues facing the successful development of these families . RCMA ' s additional goal is to help children be successful in public school and to help parents fulfill their role as their child' s first teacher and advocate during their public school years. RCMA meets this need by offering a continuum of child care services beginning with infant and toddler care . 6